Packet forwarding using feedback controlled weighted queues dynamically adjusted based on processor utilization

Abstract

In general, techniques are described for dynamically managing weighted queues. In accordance with the techniques, a network security device comprises a queue management module that assigns, for each queue of a plurality of queues, a quota desirable to a user that a processor of the network security device consumes to service each queue. The queue management module determines, based on the desirable quotas, a queue weight for each queue and computes. Based on the computation, the queue management module dynamically adjusts one or more of the weights such that subsequent amounts of processing time actually required to process the number of packets defined by each of the queue weights more accurately reflects the desirable quotas assigned to each of the queues. The network device outputs the number of packets in accordance with the adjusted weights.